Title Page for ETD 3200

Author Name Best, Latrica Evette

Graduate Program Sociology

Degree Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type Dissertation

Date of Defense 2008-02-29

Committee
Melissa A. Hardy, Committee Chair
Francis Dodoo, Committee Member
Michelle Frisco, Committee Member
Linda A. Wray, Committee Member

Availability Restricted

Title Mental Health Disparities among Women in Midlife: A Longitudinal Study of Depressive Symptoms, Status, and Disease in the United States

Abstract
The literature on the effects of depressive symptoms on women’s lives is quite extensive. However, much of the focus on depressive symptoms disparities in midlife has been on the role of hormonal changes either at childbirth or during menopause (Freeman et al 2004, 2006; Noble 2005). Many of these studies utilize small, cross-sectional studies to examine women’s psychological well being. With over one billion women projected to enter menopause, and subsequently old age, by 2030 (Noble 2005), it is imperative to understand the effects of both social and biological factors on the onset and prevalence of depression among this burgeoning group of women. As the leading cause of disease-related impairments among women worldwide, preventing major episodes of depression will become one of the world’s most pertinent health issues. Drawing primarily upon 6 waves (1993-2003) of the National Longitudinal Surveys Young Women Cohort (NLS-YW), this study expands on previous depression studies by evaluating the impact of socioeconomic status and health-related on explaining differences in depressive symptoms over time. The NLS-YW is a nationally representative sample of women who were initially interviewed during emerging adulthood and where followed until midlife (ages 39 to 51). Specifically, I take a closer look at the depressive symptoms in women over time and how these symptoms vary by key indicators. Furthermore, I examine within-group differences on important demographic, SES, and health-related measures and evaluate which indicators predict membership into a particular trajectory.

Keywords
women
depressive symptoms

Files
There is 1 file that has been restricted at the author's request.

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Author Name	Best, Latrica Evette
Graduate Program	Sociology
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type	Dissertation
Date of Defense	2008-02-29
Committee	Melissa A. Hardy, Committee Chair Francis Dodoo, Committee Member Michelle Frisco, Committee Member Linda A. Wray, Committee Member
Availability	Restricted
Title	Mental Health Disparities among Women in Midlife: A Longitudinal Study of Depressive Symptoms, Status, and Disease in the United States
Abstract	The literature on the effects of depressive symptoms on women’s lives is quite extensive. However, much of the focus on depressive symptoms disparities in midlife has been on the role of hormonal changes either at childbirth or during menopause (Freeman et al 2004, 2006; Noble 2005). Many of these studies utilize small, cross-sectional studies to examine women’s psychological well being. With over one billion women projected to enter menopause, and subsequently old age, by 2030 (Noble 2005), it is imperative to understand the effects of both social and biological factors on the onset and prevalence of depression among this burgeoning group of women. As the leading cause of disease-related impairments among women worldwide, preventing major episodes of depression will become one of the world’s most pertinent health issues. Drawing primarily upon 6 waves (1993-2003) of the National Longitudinal Surveys Young Women Cohort (NLS-YW), this study expands on previous depression studies by evaluating the impact of socioeconomic status and health-related on explaining differences in depressive symptoms over time. The NLS-YW is a nationally representative sample of women who were initially interviewed during emerging adulthood and where followed until midlife (ages 39 to 51). Specifically, I take a closer look at the depressive symptoms in women over time and how these symptoms vary by key indicators. Furthermore, I examine within-group differences on important demographic, SES, and health-related measures and evaluate which indicators predict membership into a particular trajectory.
Keywords	women depressive symptoms
Files	There is 1 file that has been restricted at the author's request.